Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

Point Cook almost hooked

1 May 2013. The residents of Point Cook, Sanctuary Lakes and Williams Landing should soon be hooked into the rest of Melbourne's path network via the Federation Trail, but first a hideous oversight needs fixing.

The good news is that the Palmers Road overpass and Williams Landing station precinct is about to be completed, which means the shared paths on both east and west sides of the overpass and the adjoining path heading north up to Ashcroft Avenue, Williams Landing will also be open for business.

There will also be on-road bike lanes along this new section of Palmers Rd from the railway line to Ashcroft Avenue, shown in blue on the map to the right of this page.

But then what?

At this point riders will be wondering where the bike lanes went. Inexplicably, it appears VicRoads allowed the installation of non-standard, non-complying, (and in some cases totally missing), bike lanes through the Cedar Woods development between Ashcroft Avenue and the Federation Trail to the north.

This is a road reserve which once was a landing strip for major aircraft, yet it is apparently incapable of accommodating bicycles. As a result riders riders are thrown into traffic with no infrastructure protection. This section is shown in red on the map, right.

Bicycle Network will pursue both the developer and Wyndham Council to ensure acceptable provision is made for the tens of thousands of residents living south of this location.

This link would also help to better connect residents to the new Williams Landing Railway Station where the Parkiteer cage is doing a roaring trade after only a few weeks. 

Bike runway to Williams Landing

24 August 2011. Work will start soon to give bikes access to the new railway station at Williams Landing, the new development being built on the former RAAF Laverton air base.

Currently bikes must travel along Palmers Road to cross the Geelong freeway to the station—a high risk manoeuvre that few attempt.

The new overpass will have a three metre off road shared path that will link communities on both sides of the freeway to the new station.

The path is part of a major new project to construct the new premium railway station and road overpass at the Hoppers Crossing location. The contract has been awarded to Abigroup.

Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder said the widening of Palmers Road from three lanes to five means traffic flow between Williams Landing and Point Cook is improved for those commuting to the station by car, bus or bike.

"We know there will be greater demand for access via Palmers Road to the station and between Williams Landing and Point Cook, and we're doing something about this now," Mr Mulder said.

"The State Government is delivering this vital new infrastructure to cater for the population growth in Melbourne's booming western suburbs.

"Geotechnical surveying works will commence in the coming weeks and the local community will see works associated with the construction of roads, car parks and the rail track formation throughout the remainder of the year.

The Williams Landing railway station will be a premium station, featuring:

• an island platform between existing passenger rail lines
• a new bus terminal and a taxi rank
• a park-and-ride facility with approximately 500 spaces and drop-off zones
• a footbridge across the rail line and Princes Freeway, accessible by ramps, stairs and lifts
• facilities for cyclists.

The new Palmers Road overpass will feature:

• an extension beyond the Princes Freeway and across the Werribee rail line
• two dedicated right turn lanes from Palmers Road to the Princes Freeway city-bound
• one dedicated through lane north-bound to Williams Landing
• two dedicated through lanes south-bound to Point Cook, with a left turn onto the freeway city-bound
• a three-metre wide off-road shared bicycle and pedestrian path.

Construction on the Williams Landing project is expected to be completed in late 2012. The project is being delivered as a partnership between the Department of Transport VicRoads and Metro Trains Melbourne.

Road duplication delivers shared path

1 November 2008 VicRoads have now completed the duplication of Palmers Rd between Dunnings Rd and the Princes Freeway, including an overpass to the northern side of the freeway.

The State Government has proposed a new railway station (Point Cook Station) on the north side of the freeway and eventual continuation of Palmers Rd further north as the Laverton Air base gets transformed into the Willams Landing redevelopment.

Bicycle Network Victoria will be contacting the developer and relevant planning bodies to propose that this off road shared path is continued at a high quality further north and connect to the Federation trail. This link has already been muted by the developer who has quoted the bike network as a key selling point of the development.